Award Winner

When Gay People Get Married by M.V. Lee Badgett

In the summer of 2008 same-sex couples lined up for marriage licenses in California, and Massachusetts opened marriage to couples from other states. To learn what legal same-sex marriage actually changes, economist M. V. Lee Badgett went to the Netherlands, where it has been legal since 2001, interviewing couples about their relationships, families and colleagues and examining how the institution itself has changed. She finds that marriage changes gay people more than gay people change marriage, that liberal countries and states move first, and that marriage does not destroy the institution while benefiting many couples.

The Only Wonderful Things by Melissa J. Homestead

The first account of the central relationship of Willa Cather’s life, her nearly forty-year partnership with Edith Lewis. Often dismissed as Cather’s secretary, Lewis was a successful magazine editor and advertising copywriter who edited Cather’s fiction behind the scenes. Melissa J. Homestead reconstructs their life together in Greenwich Village and on Park Avenue, their travels in the Southwest that shaped The Professor’s House and Death Comes for the Archbishop, and their summers in an all-woman community on Grand Manan Island, and shows how Cold War anxiety about homosexuality led biographers to erase Lewis, offering a fresh view of lesbian life in the early twentieth century.

Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

‘Even if Holden Caulfield was born in the Bronx in the 1980s, he could never be this awesome.’ Inga Muscio, author of Cunt Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn’t sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that’s going to help her figure out this whole ‘Puerto Rican lesbian’ thing. She’s interning with the author of her favorite book: Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff. Will Juliet be able to figure out her life over the course of one magical summer? Is that even possible? Or is she running away from all the problems that seem too big to handle? With more questions than answers, Juliet takes on Portland, Harlowe, and most importantly, herself.

A fist-pumping intersectional feminist power anthem with powerful ideas about sexual, racial, and political identity.
The book addresses white privilege and unintentional racism within feminist circles.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki

One of FORBES Best Graphic Novels of 2019 On BCCB 2019 Blue Ribbons List

One of NPR’s Best Books of 2019Booklist 2019 Editors’ Choice

One of Bitch Media s Best Queer YA Novels of 2019

Author Mariko Tamaki and illustrator Rosemary Valero-O Connell bring to life a sweet and spirited tale of young love in Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, a graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.

Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley’s dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There’s just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend.Reeling from her latest break up, Freddy’s best friend, Doodle, introduces her to the Seek-Her, a mysterious medium, who leaves Freddy some cryptic parting words: break up with her. But Laura Dean keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals further out of her control, Freddy has to wonder if it’s really Laura Dean that’s the problem. Maybe it’s Freddy, who is rapidly losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her now more than ever. Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends, and the insight of advice columnists like Anna Vice to help her through being a teenager in love.

Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

‘F***ing outstanding.’–Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author Rivera captures both the disappointments and the possibilities that come with realizing that your life s solution cannot be figured out by someone else. The New York Times Book ReviewJuliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. Only, she’s not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon, to intern with her favorite feminist writer–what’s sure to be a life-changing experience. And when Juliet’s coming out crashes and burns, she’s not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.But Juliet has a plan–sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff, is sure to help her figure out this whole ‘Puerto Rican lesbian’ thing. Except Harlowe’s white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn’t have all the answers . . .In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out–to the world, to her family, to herself.

A fist-pumping intersectional feminist power anthem with powerful ideas about sexual, racial, and political identity.
The book addresses white privilege and unintentional racism within feminist circles.

Of Fire And Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

An atmospheric and romantic debut fantasy perfect for fans of Ash and The Winner s Curse.

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms.But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden.Now Denna has to learn the ways of her new kingdom while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria s formidable warhorses before her coronation and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine, sister of her betrothed. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms and each other.Plus don’t miss the sequel: Of Ice and Shadows!

Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

At Armstead Academy, everyone knows everything about everyone. Well, everyone thinks they know everything . . . Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is a relief. As an Iranian American, she s different enough; if word got out that Leila liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would. As she carefully confides in trusted friends about Saskia s confusing signals, Leila begins to figure out that all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and some are keeping surprising secrets of their own An empowering romance featuring a lovable, awkward protagonist who just needs a little nudge of confidence to totally claim her multifaceted identity. Booklist, starred review Farizan exceeds the high expectations she set with her debut, If You Could Be Mine, in this fresh, humorous, and poignant exploration of friendship and love. Publishers Weekly, starred review Funny, heartwarming, and wise. Kirkus Reviews A 2015 ALA Top Ten Rainbow List Title A 2015 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

It’s Not Like It’s A Secret by Misa Sugiura

Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature * 2018 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults * 2018 Rainbow Book List * A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2017’Well-paced, brimming with drama, and utterly vital.’ Kirkus (starred review)

This charming and bittersweet coming-of-age story featuring two girls of color falling in love is part To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and part Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.Sixteen-year-old Sana Kiyohara has too many secrets. Some are small, like how it bothers her when her friends don t invite her to parties. Some are big, like the fact that her father may be having an affair. And then there s the one that she can barely even admit to herself the one about how she might have a crush on her best friend.When Sana and her family move to California, she begins to wonder if it s finally time for some honesty, especially after she meets Jamie Ramirez. Jamie is beautiful and smart and unlike anyone Sana s ever known.There are just a few problems: Sana’s new friends don’t trust Jamie’s crowd; Jamie’s friends clearly don’t want her around anyway; and a sweet guy named Caleb seems to have more-than-friendly feelings for her. Meanwhile, her dad s affair is becoming too obvious to ignore.Sana always figured that the hardest thing would be to tell people that she wants to date a girl, but as she quickly learns, telling the truth is easy what comes after it, though, is a whole lot more complicated.

Girl Sex 101 by Allison Moon

‘Girl Sex 101 is the best sex guide in years.’ – DIVA Magazine

Girl Sex 101 is a sex-ed book like no other, offering helpful info for ladies and lady-lovers of all genders and identities, playful and informative illustrations on each page, and over 100 distinct voices, plus a hot narrative that shows you how to put the info to good use! Learn how to navigate the twists and turns of female sexuality, with special guidance from thirteen guest sex educators including Nina Hartley, Sex Nerd Sandra, Jiz Lee, Tristan Taormino, Julia Serano, Reid Mihalko and more! Girl Sex 101 will teach you… *The bits and pieces that make up female sexual anatomy *Simple ways to communicate in the heat of the moment *How to build a Road Map of your partner s pleasure *Essential moves for cunnilingus, strap-ons, hand sex and more! *Positions to avoid fatigue and generate the power you need to rock your girl’s world! You’ll gain confidence to please your girl, no matter what your hands-on experience. Buckle your seat belt and get ready to ride!